Southend United have landed a mouthwatering Carling Cup first round clash at local rivals West Ham.
What will be an eagerly anticipated encounter is set to be played on Tuesday, August 24, at the Championship club's Upton Park home.
Blues boss Steve Tilson said his League Two outfit would relish the chance to take on their more illustrious east London neighbours on their own patch.
"It's a quality draw for us," said Tilson.
"It's the toughest tie we could have had, but what an exciting night it's going to be.
"It will be a good one for the players to play in, in a really great stadium on a nice surface and it will be a memorable night for us.
"West Ham are a very good side, they came ever so close to getting back into the Premiership last season via the play-offs and it will be hard.
"We will take thousands of supporters and you never know what might happen.
The coastal club have advanced past the first round of this competition just twice in the past 12 seasons and crashed out at the first hurdle again last season, 3-2 at Roots Hall against Swindon Town.
Published Thursday July 8, 2004
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